Fluid keyboard using jet-pipe valves



Oct. 24, 1961 w. G. WADEY 3.

FLUID KEYBOARD USING JET-PIPE VALVES Filed Oct. 31, 1960 5 FIG.

FIG. 2

I l U l6 l0 9 l2 W M FIG. 3

INVENTOR IIAZ/TA 6'. 104%) I BY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,005,5331 FLUID KEYBOARD USING JET-PIPE VALVES Walter G. Wadey, Wynnewood, Pa.,assignor to Sperry 'Rand'Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Oct. 31, 1960, Ser. No. 66,063 12 Claims. (Cl. 197-15)This invention relates to fluid operated mechanical keyboards of thetype used in adding machines, typewriters, and other similar devices.More particularly, the present invention relates to mechanicallyactuated keyboard devices of the type which produce fluid output signalswhen an operator depresses a key.

.Fluid operated keyboards are well known in the art. One keyboard ofthis type is disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 66,062,filed Oct. 31, 1960, and entitled, Pneumatic Keyboard. However, thekeyboard disclosed therein is limited to the use of a gaseous fluid asthe working medium.

The recent application of fluid amplifiers to the field of dataprocessing has led to the development of data handling systems whichoperate primarily on fluid principles. That is, the logical functions ofthe data processors are carried out by switching fluid streams in apredetermined fashion. These systems may use either a gas or a liquid asthe working medium. While the device described in my aforementionedapplication is admirably suited for introducing information into a dataprocessor in theform of pneumatic signals, it cannot be used with aprocessor operating with a liquid working medium.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide akeyboard mechanism which may utilize either a gas or a liquid as theworking medium.

An object of this invention is to provide a keyboard device whichoperates in response to depression of a key to produce a fluid outputsignal, the system being closed to prevent leakage of the fluid into thesurrounding atmosphere.

Another object of the invention is to provide means responsive to theoperation of a typical keyboard linkage for producing fluid outputsignals.

A further object of this invention is to provide mechanical meansresponsive to the depression of an actuating key for controlling theoutput of a fluid amplifier.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a key operateddevice which continues to produce an output signal indicating which keywas depressed even after the key has returned to its inactive position.

The above stated objects are accomplished byproviding jet-pipes whichpivot about one end in response to v the depression of keys. As thejet-pipes pivot, they selectively apply fluid pressure signals to thecontrol signal inputs of fluid amplifiers. 7

Further objects of the invention and its mode of operation will becomeapparent upon consideration of the following description taken togetherwith the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in which a push-pullamplifier is used;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken along the line 2--2 of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 3 shows an alternative embodiment utilizing a bistable amplifier.

FIGURE 1 shows a typical keyboard linkage comprising key lever 1, arm 2,and angle lever 3. The key lever is mounted to pivot about the fixedpivot 4 as pressure is applied to the key 5. The angle lever is mountedso that it pivots about the fixed pivot 6. Free pivots 7 and 8 connectthe arm 2 to the key lever and the angle lever.

Patented Oct. 24, 1961 The jet-pipe 9 is mounted on a pivot 10 and isenclosed in the fluid chamber 11. The whole fluid system is sealed sothat either a liquid or a gas may be used as the working fluid. The arm12 is connected at one end to the jet-pipe and at the other end to theangle lever, and passes into the chamberthrough a fluid seal 23.

The jet-pipe is a hollow structure having a small orifice 13 at one end.Fluid applied to the jet-pipe over duct 14 (see FIGURE 2) emerges fromthe orifice as a high velocity jet stream.

Two fluid passageways or ducts 15 and 16 are connected at one end to thefluid amplifier 17 and terminate at the other end as openings in thefluid chamber 11.

The fluid amplifier comprises a power stream input duct 18, a firstoutput duct 19, and a second output duct 29. A fluid stream is appliedto input duct 18 from a suitably regulated source such as a compressoror pump (not shown).

The ducts 15 and 16 serve as control signal input ducts for theamplifier. In the absence of control signals on these ducts, the powerstream applied to duct 18 passes through the restricted opening 21 andemerages as a Well defined jet stream which strikes the dividing wall 22and splits into two substantially equal fluid streams which flow outthrough the output ducts 19 and 20.

If no pressure is applied to key 5, the tension spring 24 attached tothe angle lever 3 will hold the mechanical linkage in a home. positionwith the backstop 25 against the wall of the chamber thus limiting theupward movement of the arm 12. The backstop is adjusted so that in therest position the jet stream emerging from orifice 13 is aimed at theopening into control signal input duct 15.

The fluid in duct 15 passes into the fluid amplifier and deflects thepower jet issuing from opening 21 to the right. As a result, the fluidpressure in output duct 19 decreases and the fluid pressure in outputduct 20 increases. I

When the key 5 is depressed, the mechanical linkage pivots the jet-pipeclockwise about the pivot 10. At its lower limit of travel, the orifice13 is directed at the open ing into control signal input duct 16 and thejet stream issuing from the orifice passes over the duct 16 and into theamplifier where it strikes the power jet stream issuing from opening 21.This causes the power jet stream to be deflected to the output duct 19and results in an increase in fluid pressure in this duct and adecreasein fluid pressure in duct 20. These changes in fluid pressuremay be sensed to perform any desired work function such as actuating aprint or punch member or storing information in a storage register. I

When the operator releases the pressure on key 5, the mechanical linkagewill be returned to its rest condition by the tension spring 24.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the invcntion particularlysuited for use in entering information into a register in the parallelmode. The jet-pipe and mechanical linkage may be the same as that shownin FIGURE 1. There are however, certain differences which enable thedevice to store an indication that the key associated therewith has beendepressed.

The amplifier 17' is a bistable fluid amplifier constructed inaccordance with the techniques discussed in the publication Science andMechanics, June 1960. The amplifier has a power stream input 18, firstand second output ducts 19' and 20', and first and second control signalinput ducts 16 and 30. The control signal duct 16 terminates at itsopposite end at an opening in the chamber 11. The signals applied tocontrol signal duct 30 are for the purpose of resetting the amplifierand come from a source not shown.

The duct 15 is not connected to the amplifier but instead is connectedto the low pressure side of the fluid source.

For an explanation of the theory of operation of a bistable fluidamplifier reference should be made to the aforementioned publication. Inorder to understand the operation of the present invention it issuificient to say that the amplifier 17' has two stable states. That is,if a control signal directs the power stream to one of the output ducts19' or 20', the power stream will continue to flow through this ducteven after the control signal is removed.

If the power stream is flowing through output duct 19, a signal appliedto control signal input duct 30 will cause the amplifier to switch to asecond state With the power stream flowing through output duct 20. Thepower stream will continue to flow through duct 2-9 until a controlsignal is applied to duct 16 at which time it will switch back to theoutput duct 19.

Assuming that the reset state of the amplifier corresponds to thecondition wherein the power stream flows through the duct 20', thedevice of FIGURE 3 operates as follows.

With the key 5 (FIG. 1) in its home position the jet stream issuing fromorifice 13 is directed at the duct 15' and returns to the fluid supplysource. When the operator depresses the key, the jet-pipe swings in aclockwise direction so that the jet issuing from the orifice passes intoand through control signal duct 16 to the amplifier. This causes thepower stream to switch so that it flows through output duct 19. Thepressure in duct 19 increases indicating that the key associated with ithas been depressed.

This pressure signal may be used to perform the desired work function.

Because of the'bistable characteristics of amplifier 17 it will continueto produce an output signal on duct 19 after the operator has removedhis finger and the key has been returned to its home position by thetension spring. This arrangement is preferable on an adding machinekeyboard where one key in each of several columns is depressed afterwhich an activate key is depressed to carry out the add operation.

Thus, if a plurality of columns of keys are provided, each controllingan amplifier in the manner shown in FIGURE 3, a selected key in each ofthe columns may be depressed and their corresponding amplifiers willstill be producing signals after the last key is depressed. If thekeyboard is provided with an add key, this key may open fluid gates sothat all amplifier output signals may be entered into a storage registersimultaneously. At the same time, the add key may produce a fluid signalwhich is applied to control signal input ducts 30 of the amplifiers toreset them. The keyboard is then ready to have another value entered bydepressing the keys.

The above illustration shows one manner in which the embodiment ofFIGURE 3 may be employed. If preferred, each amplifier may be resetimmediately upon initiating a work function.

Other variations in the form and detail of the devices illustrated maybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe invention. For example, a push-pull fluid amplifier having only onecontrol signal input duct may be used in which case one of the ducts 15or 16 would serve as a control signal input duct and the other ductwould serve as a fluid return duct to the fluid supply source. It isintended therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A keyboard device comprising: a fluid amplifier having at least twocontrol signal inputs; movable jet pro ducing means for selectivelydirecting fluid to at least one of said control signal inputs; and amechanical linkage for moving said jet producing means.

2. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said jet producingmeans is contained within an enclosure to prevent loss of fluid from thedevice.

3. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said jet producingmeans normally directs fluid to one of said control signal inputs; andmeans for actuating said mechanical linkage whereby said jet producingmeans directs fluid tc another of said control signal inputs.

4. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 2 and further including a fluidduct and means for actuating said mechanical linkage, said jet producingmeans normally directing fluid to said fluid duct but directing fluid toone of said control signal inputs in response to actuation of saidmechanical linkage.

5. The combination comprising: a fluid chamber having a jet-pipetherein; a fluid amplifier having two control signal ducts whichterminate at openings in the wall of said chamber; and a keyboardlinkage connected to said jet-pipe whereby said jet-pipe may beselectively positioned to direct its jet into said openings in responseto actuation of said keyboard linkage.

6. The combination comprising: a fluid chamber, a fluid amplifier havingat least one control signal input duct terminating at an opening in saidchamber; a jetpipe having an orifice in one end thereof; and key openated means connected to said jet-pipe for selectively positioning saidorifice opposite said opening.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 6 and further including means forapplying fluid to said jet-pipe and said amplifier.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fluid amplifier isbistable and has two control signal input ducts; and means for applyingreset signals to said second input duct.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 6 and further including a fluidduct terminating at an opening in said chamber; and means forpositioning said orifice opposite the opening of said fluid duct whensaid key operated means is in an inoperative position.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 7 wherein said fluid is a liquidand means forpreventing the escape of the liquid.

11. The combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fluid is agaseous fluid.

12. A keyboard device comprising: a fluid amplifier having only onecontrol signal input; a jet-pipe having an orifice in one end thereof;and key operated means connected to said jet pipe for selectivelypositioning said orifice opposite said control signal input.

No references cited.

